So, Nepal register their first T20I victory over Afghanistan. The Nepal boys have thrilled fans on the big stage with their never-say-die brand of cricket but their progression to the main draw is hanging in the balance. Do join us for the second fixture of the evening, pitting the hitherto unbeaten Bangladesh against Hong Kong. Cheers and goodbye for now.

Khadka: "Afghanistan are a very good team. We are slowing getting there.We need to push ourselves and train harder. It has been a great tournament for us."

Nabi: "We enjoyed this tournament. It is a big event for every team. We did not start well. We were not able to finish well as well. We were disappointed with the performance."

Mukhiya: "I am very happy with my performance. Everyone contributed well. We have enjoyed playing here in Chittagong. Thanks to the crowd, they supported us well."

Mukhiya is the Man of the Match.

The Nepal bowlers set the ball rolling, reducing their arch-rivals to 5-50. Then, Shafiuqllah and Shenwari culled the rot briefly with some aggressive batsmanship. Stanikzai battled hard and went down blazing. While the spinners blocked all escape routes in the middle overs, Mukhiya excelled at the death with those Malinga-like accurate yorkers. Nepal's catching was another key ingredient in their victory. Do stay with us for the presentation and quotes from both the captains.

19.6

Kami to Mirwais, no run, Nepal win by 9 runs. Good length ball outside off, Mirwais skates down the track, swings and misses

Dawlat Zadran, right handed bat, comes to the crease

19.5

Kami to Stanikzai, out Caught by Malla!! The man at long on has a shot at redemption and he comes forward and gleefully accepts the catch. Kami zeroes it on a fullish length on middle, Stanikzai slogs it and holes out to Malla in the deep. A few yards wider could have made for a boundary. Stanikzai c Malla b Kami 49(36) [4s-4 6s-1]

Kami to Stanikzai, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

10 from 2 reads the equation.

19.4

Kami to Stanikzai, FOUR, Stanikzai's peppering the cow-corner fence. This was on a length again, Stanikzai opens up and biffs it with immense power between mid-wicket and long-on

19.3

Kami to Stanikzai, 2 runs, good length delivery just outside off, Stanikzai heaves it away to deep mid wicket, calls for a couple and makes his ground

Oops, Stanikzai is now down with cramps. He needs some medical attention as the physio hustles out. He is up and ready to resume charge for AFG.

19.2

Kami to Stanikzai, FOUR, Wow! A carbon copy of the previous ball. Length ball on middle, Stanikzai, having created extensive room, has ample leverage to smite it between midwicket and long on, the man at long on cannot cut it off

19.1

Kami to Stanikzai, FOUR, Kami errs in length as he bowls it fullish, Stanikzai backs away and heaves it away to the cow-corner fence. The man from long on rushed towards the ball, got a finger tip to the ball but only ushered it to the fence

18.6

Mukhiya to Mirwais, 2 runs, full toss, Mirwais carts it away to long on. He did not impart requisite power on that strike

18.5

Mukhiya to Stanikzai, 1 run, fuller outside off, Stanikzai slaps it to long off and sets off for a brisk single

Mirwais Ashraf, right handed bat, comes to the crease

18.4

Mukhiya to Shenwari, out Caught by Khadka!! Mukhiya has his third scalp, Khadka pulls off an incredible catch. Nepal's catching has been sparkling tonight. Shenwari comes down the track, takes it on the full but mishits it high into the air, two men converge on to the ball, the Nepal skipper calls for it, runs from extra cover and grabs it to send the Nepali fans into rapture. Shenwari c Khadka b Mukhiya 15(13) [4s-1]

Mukhiya to Shenwari, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

18.3

Mukhiya to Stanikzai, 1 run, aha! Mukhiya slips in that all too easy yorker on off, Stanikzai squeezes it to extra cover. Has Malinga switched bodies?

18.2

Mukhiya to Shenwari, 1 run, another terrific yorker! Shenwari can do nothing but dig it out to square leg

18.1

Mukhiya to Stanikzai, 1 run, mighty full on middle, not an accurate yorker, Stanikzai can only jam it out through mid-wicket

17.6

Kami to Stanikzai, 1 run, good length ball on the leg-stump, Stanikzai tries to smash it to deep mid-wicket but the ball wanders away to fine leg off another familiar inside snick

17.5

Kami to Shenwari, 1 run, length ball on middle, Shenwari makes room and flat bats it hard but the ball hits his partner. As a result, there is just one run on offer

17.4

Kami to Stanikzai, 1 run, good length ball on the leg-stump, Stanikzai goes for a wild heave-ho, the inside edge though trickles away to fine leg

17.3

Kami to Shenwari, 3 runs, length ball on the stumps, Shenwari half-sweeps, half-swats it over to deep square leg. The ball seemed to be heading to the fence but Bhandari dives and hauls it in via a gallant sliding stop

17.2

Kami to Shenwari, 2 runs, right in the blockhole, squeezed out to long off, good running between the wickets as the batsmen collect a brace

17.1

Kami to Shenwari, FOUR, edged and four! Shenwari bowls a good length ball on middle, Shenwari winds up for a lusty blow but only french cuts it to fine leg

Sompal Kami [2.0-1-6-1] is back into the attack

16.6

Mukhiya to Stanikzai, no run, another pin-point toe-crusher, Stanikzai's heave does not come to pass, the ball misses the off-stump by a whisker

16.5

Mukhiya to Shenwari, 1 run, he gets the yorker right now, Shenwari jams it down to long on

16.4

Mukhiya to Stanikzai, 3 runs, Mukhiya misses the yorker as he pitches this one up outside off, Stanikzai slices it off the bottom section of the bat over backward point. What more? Three men converge on to the ball near the boundary, Sagar Pun slides and reels it in to save a run for Nepal

16.3

Mukhiya to Stanikzai, 2 runs, fullish and just outside off, Stanikzai clears his front leg and thwacks it aerially to long off

16.2

Mukhiya to Shenwari, 1 run, full toss on middle, punched down to long on but not with much power

16.1

Mukhiya to Shenwari, no run, yorker length ball seeking the base of middle stump, Shenwari brings his bat down in the nick of time to intervene

Regmi to Shafiqullah, out Caught by Pun!! Regmi ends Shafiqullah's charming cameo to tilt the scales in Nepal's favor. To be honest, this was not a wicket taking ball, it was shortish and outside off, Shafiqullah cuts it uppishly, Pun dives forward from point and snaffles the low catch.Shafiqullah c Pun b Regmi 36(32) [4s-3 6s-1]

Regmi to Shafiqullah, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Basant Regmi [2.0-0-22-0] is back into the attack

13.6

Pun to Stanikzai, no run, darted in just outside off, pushed back to Pun, who makes a half-stop

13.5

Pun to Stanikzai, no run, looped up on middle, Stanikzai takes a step forward and defends it to the right of Pun

Gauchan to Stanikzai, FOUR, Gauchan flights this one on middle, Stanikzai comes down the track and lifts it handsomely to the long-off fence

12.2

Gauchan to Shafiqullah, 1 run, tucked away to long on

12.1

Gauchan to Shafiqullah, SIX, Shafiqullah takes a page out of Stanikzai's book. Gauchan delivers a nothing long hop, Shafiqullah ventures deep in the crease and heaves it powerfully over deep backward square leg

11.6

Pun to Stanikzai, no run, beautifully flighted on middle, some extra bounce to boot as well in addition to the turn in, Stanikzai lunges forward and ekes out an inside edge onto the attempted defence

Gauchan to Nabi, out Lbw!! Gauchan follows Mukhiya's lead as he conjures up a double strike. He sets off on a celebratory sprint. Believe it or not, Afghanistan have lost half their side. I guess it was snaking down leg but the umpire disagress. Gauchan pushes the arm ball through, Nabi is pinned to the crease as he fails to bring his bat down in time. The tracker also shows that it was missing leg but Nabi has to depart. Nabi lbw b Gauchan 1(2)

Gauchan to Nabi, THATS OUT!! Lbw!!

8.5

Gauchan to Shafiqullah, 1 run, pushed through on off, Shafiqullah whisks it away wide of mid-wicket

8.4

Gauchan to Nabi, 1 run, Nabi eases this flighted delivery to long on

8.3

Gauchan to Shafiqullah, 1 run, arm ball coming in with the angle, Shafiqullah jams it to sweeper cover. He somehow managed to bring down the bat in time

Mohammad Nabi, right handed bat, comes to the crease

8.2

Gauchan to Nawroz, out Caught by Khadka!! Gauchan strikes in his first over to nab the former Aghan skipper as the run-chase scupper. Gauchan flights this one on middle, Nawroz sinks down and hunts for a slog-sweep. However, he can only top-edge it as the ball balloons high into the air, Khadka pedals back from square leg and completes an excellent catch before tumbling down. Nawroz c Khadka b Gauchan 5(7) [4s-1]

Gauchan to Nawroz, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

8.1

Gauchan to Shafiqullah, 1 run, gentle half-tracker outside off, Shafiqullah flat-bats it down to long on

Shakti Prasad Gauchan, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack

7.6

Khadka to Nawroz, no run, fullish and just a smidge outside off, Nawroz drives it well but fails to beat extra cover

7.5

Khadka to Nawroz, no run, good length ball on middle, Nawroz stays back and knocks it to the leg-side

7.4

Khadka to Nawroz, FOUR, up, up and over a leaping backward point. Khadka delivers it short and gift wraps room as well, Nawroz does not need a second invitaion as he cuts it over point

7.3

Khadka to Shafiqullah, 1 run, pitched up and widish outside off, Shafiqullah sinks to one knee and drills it to sweeper cover

7.2

Khadka to Shafiqullah, no run, Khadka keeps it full, Shafiqullah blocks this one again

7.1

Khadka to Shafiqullah, no run, fullish and on off, defended back to Khadka

6.6

Regmi to Nawroz, byes, FOUR, Khakurel fluffs a regulation stumping chance, to rub salt into the wound, 17 came off that over. Regmi loops this one up even more invitingly, Nawroz catches the bait as he dances down the track, gets beaten by the flight, the keeper is also beaten as he lets the ball sneak in through the legs

6.5

Regmi to Nawroz, no run, generously floated on middle, Nawroz taps it to cover

Regmi to Shafiqullah, FOUR, Regmi does not learn as he digs it short again, Shafiqullah moves deep in the crease and blazes the cut square of the wicket on the off-side. Make that a hattrick of boundaries

6.2

Regmi to Shafiqullah, FOUR, cheeky and Shafiqullah enjoys back to back boundaries. Regmi loops this one up on middle and leg, Shafiqullah bends down and paddles it nicely to the deep fine leg fence

6.1

Regmi to Shafiqullah, FOUR, Regmi errs short, Shafiqullah roars as he cracks it behind point, the flick of the wrists gives the ball impetus to reach the fence

Basant Regmi [1.0-0-9-0] is back into the attack

5.6

Khadka to Shafiqullah, 1 run, Shafiqullah opens the face of the bat on impact with this slightly back of a length ball outside off and slides it to deep third man

5.5

Khadka to Nawroz, 1 run, good length ball on the fourth stump, Nawroz drives it past the bowler, mid-on mops it up

5.4

Khadka to Shafiqullah, 1 run, slower cutter outside off, Shafiqullah waits for it and glides it down to third man

5.3

Khadka to Shafiqullah, no run, good length ball seaming away appreciably outside off, Shafiqullah cuts in vain as he is beaten

5.2

Khadka to Shafiqullah, no run, shortish and outside off, Shafiqullah plays it to point

5.1

Khadka to Shafiqullah, no run, slightly back of a length and on off, Shafiqullah chops it down to the keeper

Paras Khadka, right-arm medium, comes into the attack

4.6

Mukhiya to Shafiqullah, 1 run, fullish and outside off, Shafiqullah drives it to mid off and opens his account

4.5

Mukhiya to Shafiqullah, no run, no hattrick for Mukhiya. Aha, it may be been caught and bowled, but fortuitously for Afganistan, it dies down before the bowler. I guess, that may have held up in the pitch

Shafiqullah Shafiq, right handed bat, comes to the crease

4.4

Mukhiya to Najibullah, out Caught by Vesawkar!! Nepal have ran a dagger through the Afgan top-order. Najibullah closely follows the heels of Shehzad. Mukhiya bowls a good length ball on middle, tucking up Najibullah for room, Najibullah still persists with the heave but only tamely chips it to mid-on. Najibullah c Vesawkar b Mukhiya 5(4) [4s-1]

Mukhiya to Najibullah, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Nawroz Mangal, right handed bat, comes to the crease

4.3

Mukhiya to Mohammad Shahzad, out Caught by Kami!! Shehzad, having been handcuffed by the Afghan bowler, slashes hard at this wide one well outside off, the ball skews away off a thick outside edge to deep third man, who pouches it safely. The Afghans find themselves in an early strife at 20-2. Mohammad Shahzad c Kami b Mukhiya 6(17) [4s-1]

Mukhiya to Mohammad Shahzad, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

4.2

Mukhiya to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, pitched up and just a shade outside off, Mohammad Shahzad swings and misses again. The ball bounces over and evades the stumps again

4.1

Mukhiya to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, good length delivery on the fourth stump, Mohammad Shahzad looks to flay it through cover but to no avail

3.6

Kami to Najibullah, FOUR, length delivery outside off, Najibullah flexes his muscles and lifts it over mid-off, he did not get requite power behind that but it was adequate to travel to the fence

3.5

Kami to Najibullah, no run, back of a length ball angling in, Najibullah swings and misses, the ball just about bounces over middle and off

3.4

Kami to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, speared in mighty full on middle as Mohammad Shahzad makes room again, eventually Mohammad Shahzad squeezes it out to cover and sets off for a speedy single, good response from Najibullah as well

3.3

Kami to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, fuller and on middle, Mohammad Shahzad backs away and pushes it to mid-off

3.2

Kami to Najibullah, 1 run, on a good length and on middle, Najibullah uses his wrists and tucks it away to deep mid wicket

Najibullah Zadran, left handed bat, comes to the crease

3.1

Kami to Sadiq, out Bowled!! Sadiq dies by the sword and Kami follows up his tight maiden with a wicket. Kami masterminds a good length on middle, Sadiq winds up for an almightly heave over mid-wicket I suppose, he only makes contact with thin air. The stumps are disturned, signalling his downfall. Sadiq b Kami 8(7) [4s-2]

Kami to Sadiq, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

2.6

Mukhiya to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, a mini miscomminication between the wickets but Mohammad Shahzad is safe. This was pitched up and outside off, Mohammad Shahzad presses it to cover and sets off, his partner rightly sends him back, sensing the danger involved in that kamikaze single

2.5

Mukhiya to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, shortish and on off again, Mohammad Shahzad chops it back to the bowler

2.4

Mukhiya to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, back of a length and width on offer as well, Mohammad Shahzad cuts it firmly but point intercepts it with a sharp stop

2.3

Mukhiya to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR, shortish and around off, Mohammad Shahzad thwacks the pull between midwicket and long on with one feet in the air

2.2

Mukhiya to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, shortish and just outside off again, Mohammad Shahzad slashes hard, he does not connect the ball as well as he would have liked, the ball squirts in front of point

2.1

Mukhiya to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, shortish and outside off, Mohammad Shahzad has a crack at it but cover point covers that hit from Mohammad Shahzad

Jitendra Mukhiya, right-arm medium, comes into the attack

1.6

Kami to Sadiq, no run, dipping full toss outside off, Sadiq opens the face of the bat and runs it in front of cover. So, Kami inaugurates his spell with an impressive maiden

1.5

Kami to Sadiq, no run, length delivery on middle and leg, Sadiq commits to a cross-batted mow over mid-wicket but all he manages is an inside edge on to the pads

1.4

Kami to Mohammad Shahzad, leg byes, 1 run, slanting into the pads, Mohammad Shahzad's attempted flick does not come to pass but he sneaks in a leg-bye

1.3

Kami to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, fullish and on off, staying a bit low as well, nothing to trigger the alarm bells though as Mohammad Shahzad inches forward and bunts it to mid-on

1.2

Kami to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, good length ball hurrying on to the hips, Mohammad Shahzad falls short of clipping it to the leg-side, in fact he fails to make any contact

1.1

Kami to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, good length ball on off, blocked back to Kami

Sompal Kami, right-arm medium, comes into the attack

0.6

Regmi to Sadiq, no run, slower through the air and just a smidge outside off, Sadiq negotiates it with an open face in front of point

0.5

Regmi to Sadiq, FOUR, fractionally overpitched and on off, Sadiq stamps his authority again as he drills it away,pinging the long off fence

0.4

Regmi to Sadiq, no run, dropped shortish and outside off, Sadiq slaps it off the bottom section of the bat but he fails to peirce the tightly packed off-side infield

0.3

Regmi to Sadiq, FOUR, Sadiq needs no sighters. He advances down the track and sledge-hammers it past the bowler to the long off fence

0.2

Regmi to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, floated on off, Mohammad Shahzad forces it to long on to get off the mark

0.1

Regmi to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, arm ball skidding on with the arm outside off, Mohammad Shahzad pushes at it, the ball beats the inside edge and sneaks through the gate

Mohammad Shahzad and Sadiq are at the crease. Mohammad Shahzad is on strike. Regmi will open the attack

We are back for the run-chase.

It is now upto the Afghan batsmen to chase down quickly and give themselves an outside chance to qualify for the main draw. Join us back in a short while for the second innings.....

Nepal have done exceptionally well to get a competitive total on the board. They started off in a sedate manner and lost three wickets in succession. Khakurel and Vesawkar steadied the innings with a solid 76-run parntership. The former went to score his first T20I fifty, he was slow to get going on but once he found able company he let loose. The Afghan bowlers were discplined in their approach, only Shenwari had a bad day as he was taken apart by Malla in his very first over.

We are back for the run-chase. If Afghanistan are to knock off the runs in double quick time, you would imagine the back-to-form Shehzad to fire.

19.6

Nabi to B Bhandari, leg byes, 1 run, again gives this plenty of air, Bhandari once again is early into the shot, the ball hits his back and rolls to the off-side

19.5

Nabi to B Bhandari, no run, slows this up, Bhandari was early into the sweep shot and the ball hits the gloves and lobs down the wicket

19.4

Nabi to B Bhandari, no run, quicker and around off, Bhandari misses the slog sweep

19.3

Nabi to B Bhandari, FOUR, pushed through on middle and leg, Bhandari gets inside the line and sweeps it to deep backward square leg, he used the pace of the bowler

19.2

Nabi to Budayair, 1 run, flighted on off, Budayair miscues the loft towards long on, the ball lands safely in front of the fielder

19.1

Nabi to Budayair, no run, turning in, Budayair shuffles across and misses the paddle sweep, umpire Ravi does not call it a wide

Mohammad Nabi [3.0-0-20-1] is back into the attack

18.6

Shapoor to Budayair, 1 run, length delivery around off, Budayair gets an inside edge to fine leg as he tries to heave it across the line

18.5

Shapoor to B Bhandari, leg byes, 1 run, slower delivery on leg-stump, Bhandari misses the slog sweep but gets a run off the pads

18.4

Shapoor to B Bhandari, no run, quick sharp bouncer, Bhandari goes for the hook, the ball goes off the shoulder to Shahzad. Umpire Dar flushes down the caught behind appeal by showing that it went of the batsman's shoulder

Naresh Bahadur Budayair, right handed bat, comes to the crease

18.3

Shapoor to Vesawkar, out Caught by Mohammad Shahzad!! Shapoor gets the second of the over. This was banged in short and on the body, Vesawkar goes for the pull but the ball hurries on to him, it goes off the splice of the bat back to Shahzad who does not miss out with the gloves on. Vesawkar c Mohammad Shahzad b Shapoor 37(32) [4s-5]

Shapoor to Vesawkar, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

18.2

Shapoor to Vesawkar, FOUR, pitched up delivery on the stumps, Vesawkar stays in the crease and gets underneath as he lofts it straight down the ground, the ball thumps into the ad boardings

Binod Bhandari, right handed bat, comes to the crease

18.1

Shapoor to Khakurel, out Caught by Stanikzai!! End of a superb innings. This was a length delivery and in the slot, Khakurel goes deep in the crease and plays the big shot towards deep mid wicket, Stanikzai runs across and takes a brilliant catch. Khakurel c Stanikzai b Shapoor 56(53) [4s-6 6s-1]

Shapoor to Khakurel, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Shapoor Zadran [3.0-0-14-0] is back into the attack

17.6

Mirwais to Khakurel, 1 run, full and on the stumps, Khakurel drills it uppishly but straight to long on

17.5

Mirwais to Khakurel, 2 runs, short delivery on middle, Khakurel pulls it in front of square, Sadiq puts in a galliant dive and saves two runs. He is applauded by the rest of his team mates

17.4

Mirwais to Khakurel, no run, takes the pace of by bowling the leg-cutter, Khakurel makes room and misses the slog to the cow corner. Clever bowling by Mirwais

17.3

Mirwais to Vesawkar, 1 run, well directed yorker, Vesawkar jams it to the off-side

17.2

Mirwais to Khakurel, 1 run, back of a length on middle, Khakurel backs away and dabs it in front of backward point

17.1

Mirwais to Vesawkar, 1 run, good length ball on off, Vesawkar turns it to mid wicket and picks up a quick run

Mirwais Ashraf [3.0-0-8-1] is back into the attack

16.6

Dawlat Zadran to Khakurel, FOUR, Khakurel gets his first T20I fifty. This was pitched up and width provided, Khakurel makes room and opens the face to slash it over backward point. A well compiled innings from the opener

16.5

Dawlat Zadran to Vesawkar, 1 run, full toss on off, Vesawkar swings it to mid wicket, the fielder has a go at the bowlers end, Dawlat Zadran takes the bails off. The TV umpire was called in but Vesawkar was well in

16.4

Dawlat Zadran to Vesawkar, no run, slower fuller delivery on off, Vesawkar digs it back to the bowler

16.3

Dawlat Zadran to Khakurel, 1 run, full and outside off, Khakurel moves away and steers it to third man

16.2

Dawlat Zadran to Khakurel, FOUR, overpitched around off, Khakurel makes a bit room and lofts it over mid-off, he didn't middle it but the fast outfield takes it to the fence

16.1

Dawlat Zadran to Khakurel, 2 runs, short and just outside off, Khakurel backs away slightly and lofts it to deep backward point, good wrist work to get it where he wanted

Dawlat Zadran [2.0-0-11-1] is back into the attack

15.6

Nabi to Vesawkar, FOUR, half tracker on off, Vesawkar rocks back and pulls it away between deep mid wicket and long on. The runs have started to flow, 31 runs off the last 2 overs

15.5

Nabi to Vesawkar, 2 runs, tossed up outside off, Vesawkar drives it to deep extra cover and gets back for a brace

15.4

Nabi to Vesawkar, FOUR, slightly quicker and just outside off, Vesawkar goes for his favourite shot, that is loft straight back past the bowler and picks up another boundary. The 50-run stand comes up between these two

15.3

Nabi to Vesawkar, no run, flighted on off, Vesawkar drives it back to Nabi who makes a fine stop

15.2

Nabi to Vesawkar, 2 runs, the pressure getting to the Afghan fielders, pushed through on off, Vesawkar swings it away between deep mid wicket and long on, the fielder fumbles and allows an extra run to be taken

15.1

Nabi to Vesawkar, FOUR, quicker and close to off-stump, Vesawkar makes room and tries to force it off the back foot, the ball takes the edge and races to the third man fence, Hamza dives but in vain

Mohammad Nabi [2.0-0-4-1] is back into the attack

14.6

Shenwari to Khakurel, no run, full and outside off, Khakurel drives it back to the bowler

14.6

Shenwari to Khakurel, wide, Shenwari continues to have a poor day, fires this well wide of off, Khakurel misses the cut and umpire Dar calls it a wide

14.5

Shenwari to Khakurel, FOUR, flighted outside off, Khakurel goes for the drive, the ball goes off a thickish outside edge to the square third man fence. Rubbish bowling from Shenwari as he gave plenty of width on that occasion

14.4

Shenwari to Khakurel, SIX, a long hop on leg-stump, Khakurel does not miss out this time, he gets inside the line and pulls it way over the long leg fence

14.3

Shenwari to Vesawkar, 1 run, quicker and on the stumps, Vesawkar mistimes the heave to long on

14.2

Shenwari to Khakurel, 1 run, juicy full toss around off, Khakurel slahes it to short third man

14.1

Shenwari to Khakurel, 2 runs, flatter and outside off, Khakurel lofts the punch over extra cover and picks up a couple

14.1

Shenwari to Khakurel, no ball, googly that is bowled in the blockhole, Khakurel squeezes it back to the bowler. Once again Shenwari oversteps in his first delivery

13.6

Sadiq to Khakurel, 1 run, floated on off and middle, Khakurel eases it down to long on

13.5

Sadiq to Khakurel, no run, slows this up again, this time Khakurel presses forward and blocks

13.4

Sadiq to Khakurel, FOUR, flighted delivery outside off, that's the first time he has given air and he has been punished, Khakurel lofts it wide of long off and picks up a boundary

13.3

Sadiq to Khakurel, no run, pushes it on off and middle, Khakurel looks to play the lap sweep but finds the short fine leg

13.2

Sadiq to Khakurel, no run, flighted on off, Khakurel drives it to cover

Sadiq goes back over the wicket

13.2

Sadiq to Khakurel, wide, again well down leg, wide signalled.

13.2

Sadiq to Khakurel, wide, fired down leg, Khakurel misses to get bat and the umpire calls it a wide

13.1

Sadiq to Vesawkar, 1 run, darts this outside off from round the wicket, Vesawkar digs it to cover

12.6

Shenwari to Khakurel, no run, short and down leg, Khakurel pulls it straight to short fine leg. That was a real long hop which he missed out on

12.5

Shenwari to Khakurel, no run, quicker and on off, Khakurel punches and picks out the cover fielder

12.4

Shenwari to Vesawkar, 1 run, googly around off, Vesawkar makes room and and cuts it to backward point, the fielder misfields and allows the single to be taken

12.3

Shenwari to Khakurel, 1 run, tossed up close to off, Khakurel paddles it to short fine leg

12.2

Shenwari to Vesawkar, 1 run, flat and just outside off, Vesawkar stands tall and punches it to long off

12.1

Shenwari to Khakurel, 1 run, Khakurel misses out on the free-hit, as he mishits the sweep to square leg, that was pushed through by Shenwari

12.1

Shenwari to Vesawkar, no ball, 1 run, not a good start in his second spell for Shenwari, full and on the pads, Vesawkar clips it to deep backward square leg

Samiullah Shenwari [1.0-0-18-0] is back into the attack

11.6

Sadiq to Khakurel, no run, pushed through on off and middle, Khakurel works it to mid wicket, slight hesitation between the batsmen but in the end they don't go through with the run

11.5

Sadiq to Vesawkar, 1 run, flighted outside off, Vesawkar mistimes the loft to long off

11.4

Sadiq to Vesawkar, FOUR, gives this bit more air, Vesawkar frees his arms and lofts it straight down the ground, he picks up a much needed boundary

Mirwais to Khadka, out Bowled!! Mirwais gets the big wicket of Khadka. This was a good length ball that shapes in slightly, Khadka shuffles across and tries to heave it across the line, he misses and the off-stump is knocked back. Poor shot selection from the skipper. Khadka b Mirwais 1(5)

Mirwais to Khadka, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

8.5

Mirwais to Khakurel, 1 run, slightly short in length around off, Khakurel punches it to sweeper cover

8.4

Mirwais to Khadka, 1 run, some inward movement of a length, Khadka gets an inside edge to the on-side, Khakurel calls Khadka for a quick single

8.3

Mirwais to Khadka, no run, pitched up around off, Khadka drives and picks out the cover fielder

8.2

Mirwais to Khadka, no run, fuller and on off, Khadka pushes it towards cover

8.1

Mirwais to Khadka, no run, back of a length on off, Khadka knocks it to the off-side

7.6

Nabi to Khakurel, no run, flatter and on the stumps, Khakurel punches it back to the bowler

7.5

Nabi to Khakurel, no run, slower and on middle, Khadka works it to mid wicket

Paras Khadka, right handed bat, comes to the crease

7.4

Nabi to Malla, out Caught by Nawroz!! A poor shot brings the downfall of Malla. This was a well floated delivery which turns down leg, Malla goes for the switch-hit and top edges it to short third man, Mangal takes a simple catch. That shot was not required as the runs were coming quite freely. Malla c Nawroz b Nabi 22(13) [4s-3 6s-1]

Nabi to Malla, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

7.3

Nabi to Malla, no run, tossed up on the stumps, Malla pushes it to the right of the bowler

Mirwais to Malla, 3 runs, pitches it up and provides width, Malla drives it handsomely wide of deep extra cover, Shafiqullah dives and saves a run for his team. That had four written all over it

6.5

Mirwais to Malla, no run, low full toss on off, Malla drives it straight back to the bowler

6.4

Mirwais to Malla, no run, good length ball close to off-stump, Malla pushes it in front of cover

6.3

Mirwais to Malla, no run, full and around off, Malla knocks it to mid-off

6.2

Mirwais to Khakurel, 1 run, fuller and angling in, Khakurel clips it to long on

6.1

Mirwais to Khakurel, no run, good length ball comes back in, Khakurel dabs it to backward point, he wanted the single but is sent back by his partner

Mirwais Ashraf, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

5.6

Shenwari to Malla, SIX, Shenwari is taken to the cleaners. This was tossed up on off and middle, Malla plays the slog sweep and this time he manages to get the maximum result as the ball sails over the long on fence

5.5

Shenwari to Malla, FOUR, half tracker around off, Malla rocks back and pulls it over the mid-on fielder for the third boundary of the over. That was very poor bowling by Shenwari

5.4

Shenwari to Malla, FOUR, throws this up and invites the batsman to go for the drive, Malla goes after it and lofts it just over the outstretched hands of Nabi at extra cover

5.3

Shenwari to Malla, no run, bit short and just outside off, Malla makes room and slaps it to extra cover

5.2

Shenwari to Malla, no run, flighted and turning away, Malla tries to hoick it across the line but misses. Poor shot as he was playing that against the spin

5.1

Shenwari to Malla, FOUR, gets off the mark in style, half volley outside off, Malla comes on the front foot and creams the drive to the deep extra cover fence. Not the ideal start for Shenwari

Samiullah Shenwari, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack

4.6

Shapoor to Khakurel, FOUR, finishes off the over on a good note. Overpitched delivery on the stumps, Khakurel backs away and thumps the drive straight back past the bowler. He needed those two boundaries as he was getting bogged down

4.5

Shapoor to Khakurel, FOUR, at last he manages to get one away, slightly short and on off, Khakurel swings across the line and heaves it to the deep square leg fence

4.4

Shapoor to Khakurel, no run, length delivery around off, Khakurel gives himself some room and looks to free his hands, but only connects with thin air as the ball goes past the outside edge

4.3

Shapoor to Khakurel, no run, back of a length on off-stump, Khakurel stays back and pushes it back to Shapoor

4.2

Shapoor to Khakurel, no run, fuller delivery on off and middle, Khakurel prefers to hang back and block it to the on-side

4.1

Shapoor to Khakurel, no run, on a length around off, Khakurel goes back and pats it to backward point

Gyanendra Malla, right handed bat, comes to the crease

3.6

Dawlat Zadran to Pun, out Caught by Nabi!! Nabi holds on to a simple chance to get rid of Pun. This was a pitched up delivery on off, Pun looked to go over mid-off, he could not execute it properly as the ball lobs straight to Nabi who takes the easiest of catches. Pun c Nabi b Dawlat Zadran 8(11) [4s-1]

Dawlat Zadran to Pun, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

3.5

Dawlat Zadran to Khakurel, 1 run, banged in short and just outside off, Khakurel makes room and looks to play the upper cut, but mistimes it to cover, Sadiq takes the catch but it was a free-hit

Dawlat Zadran to Pun, 1 run, short of length on off, Pun dabs it just over the wicket, Khakurel calls his partner through for a quick single

3.3

Dawlat Zadran to Khakurel, 1 run, dug in half way down the wicket, Khakurel goes for the pull, but the ball hurries on to him and hits the gloves before rolling away to backward square leg

3.2

Dawlat Zadran to Pun, 1 run, good length ball tails back in, Pun stays in the crease and looks to work it to the leg-side, but the ball skids on and hits the pads. However, umpire Ravi feels there was an inside edge and signals it as runs

3.1

Dawlat Zadran to Khakurel, 1 run, back of a length just outside off, Khakurel backs away slightly and punches it wide of mid-off

2.6

Shapoor to Khakurel, 1 run, fuller and outside off, Khakurel looks to break the shackles but mistimes it in the air towards mid-off, Nabi and Sadiq both don't call for it and the ball lands safely between them. That was a chance that goes begging

2.5

Shapoor to Pun, 1 run, some extra bounce for Shapoor, Pun goes back and gets a thickish outside edge to third man

2.4

Shapoor to Pun, no run, good length delivery outside off, Pun hangs back and guides it to cover-point. Still not able to find the gap through the packed off-side field

2.3

Shapoor to Pun, no run, tad short in length and close to off, Pun stands up and punches it to cover-point

2.2

Shapoor to Khakurel, 1 run, short of length on off, Khakurel glides it off the face of the bat to third man

2.1

Shapoor to Khakurel, no run, full and outside off, Khakurel leans into the drive but can't beat the cover-point fielder

1.6

Dawlat Zadran to Pun, FOUR, pitched up outside off, Pun slashes it in the air but well over backward point, the timing takes it to the fence and gives Nepal their first boundary of the innings

1.5

Dawlat Zadran to Pun, no run, fuller and close to off, Pun comes half forward and pushes it back to the bowler

1.4

Dawlat Zadran to Khakurel, 1 run, back of a length around off, some extra bounce as well, Khakurel stays back and gets it off the shoulder of the bat to third man

1.3

Dawlat Zadran to Khakurel, no run, good length ball shapes back in, Khakurel stays in the crease and turns it towards mid wicket

1.2

Dawlat Zadran to Khakurel, no run, short of length outside off, Khakurel pats it to the off-side

1.1

Dawlat Zadran to Khakurel, leg byes, 2 runs, drifts down leg, Khakurel gets it off the pads, the ball rolls towards fine leg, good aggressive running fetches them the second

Dawlat Zadran, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

0.6

Shapoor to Pun, no run, back of a length on off, Pun goes on the back foot and dabs it to backward point

0.5

Shapoor to Khakurel, 1 run, too full and well wide of off, Khakurel squeezes it to third man

0.4

Shapoor to Pun, 1 run, short and width on offer, Pun throws his bat at that, the ball flies over backward point, Asharaf does well to keep the duo to a single

0.3

Shapoor to Pun, no run, fuller and on off, Pun comes slightly forward and knocks it towards cover

0.2

Shapoor to Khakurel, 1 run, angles this away outside off, Khakurel hangs back and steers it to third man

0.1

Shapoor to Khakurel, no run, hint of inswing straightaway, good length ball nips back in, Khakurel stays back and is rapped on the pads, the ball was doing too much

Khakurel and Pun are at the crease. Khakurel is on strike. Shapoor will open the attack

The national anthems are done and dusted. The Afghan players are striding out to the middle followed by the Nepal openers. All set for the action to begin.

Khadka: "We are looking forward to batting. Hopefully, we can put up a good total on board and our bowlers can defend that. We are playing the same team."

Nabi: "We are going to bowl first. We want to chase and build pressure. We have three changes to our side that played the last match."

Pitch Report: "There is lot of grass. The bowlers will enjoy bowling on this wicket. Batsmen also will like the ball coming on to the bat", says Athar Ali Khan

On a more practical note, this could well be the final game in the World T20 tournament for both Afghanistan and Nepal before they brace themselves up for the ACC Premier League in Malaysia. It's a no brainer that the two evolving teams will be keen to sign off on a high. Toss and team compositions to follow shortly. Do stay with us, peeps.

Afghanistan and Nepal are still in contention as far as the Group-A standings are concerned but only mathematically. The side that triumphs today can eke out a back door entry to the main event, provided Bangladesh suffer a colossal defeat at the hands of Hong Kong in the second fixture of the evening. However, such a cataclysmic fall seems unlikely, for the hosts have rediscovered their mojo.